The mystery is finally solved: meet the artists behind Malmö's mouse shops

After nine years of speculation, the creators of the world-famous miniature mouse shops have finally revealed their identities. Elin Westerholm and Lupus Nensén, the duo behind " Anonymouse ," are emerging from the shadows and simultaneously announcing the end of their magical work.

A fairy tale that came true

Do you remember the first time we blogged about themouse shops ? Those tiny, perfectly crafted shops that appeared as if by magic on the streets of Malmö? It seemed too good to be true, as if we were catching a glimpse of a hidden world where mice had built their own little society.

Since December 2016, these mysterious installations have given us all something to look forward to. From the first Italian restaurant "Il Topolino" and the nut shop "Noix de Vie" on Bergsgatan in Malmö, to castles on the Isle of Man and radio studios in Canada, Anonymouse has brought a touch of magic to our daily lives.

The faces behind the magic

In February 2025, the time had finally come. Elin Westerholm (39) and Lupus Nensén (42) decided to step out of anonymity. The two Swedish artists, who both work in the film and television industry as set designers, revealed their secret workshop, hidden behind a revolving bookcase in a back street in Malmö.

Nensén is responsible for the modeling and mouse-related puns, while Westerholm handles the painting and graphic design elements. Their background in the entertainment industry explains the incredible attention to detail that characterizes every Anonymouse creation.

From Paris to a global sensation

The idea for Anonymouse arose during a trip to Paris in 2016. Inspired by children's stories about mice living secret lives alongside humans, they embarked on their first project. What began as a simple plan to bring some joy during the dark winter months became a global phenomenon.

"We didn't think many people would see the final result, maybe a handful of children who would care," Nensén says. But when the media picked it up, the story went viral and attracted crowds of curious onlookers.

More than just mouse shops

Over the past nine years, the duo has created between two and three projects a year, each with its own unique story and charm:

• Ricotta Records in Lund - A record store with mouse-sized album covers like "Back to Brie" by Amy Winemouse and "Goodbye Yellow Cheese Roll" by Stilton John
• Mustisk (Mousterious) - An intricate detective mystery where visitors entered the offices of private investigator Olivia Flaversham and had to solve a crime mystery
• Cicada Pharmacy - A pharmacy that showed how mice need care too
• A castle on the Isle of Man - "It's made out of real stone, and it was a completely ridiculous project in a fun way," Elin said

The end of an era

With mixed feelings, Westerholm and Nensén announced in February 2025 that Anonymouse would be ending. "It's time. We feel we're done," said Nensén. "Nine years is an extremely long time to build mouse houses," Westerholm added.

As a farewell gesture, they placed the Noix de Vie nötdelicatessen back on Bergsgatan in Malmö one last time, where it all began.

A museum tribute

Anonymouse's legacy lives on at Skissernas Museum in Lund, where an exhibition celebrating nine years of "mouse mischief and creativity" runs until the end of August. Visitors can admire six of their miniature worlds, tucked away in the most unexpected corners of the museum, along with sketches and preparatory work from their archive.

The power of wonder

What made Anonymouse so special wasn't just the technical perfection of their work, but the sheer joy it evoked. "It's amazing to see a 70-year-old arrive on crutches, and people help him down to take a look," says Nensén. "It really brings out the child in everyone."

In a world that often feels dark and complicated, these tiny shops brought us back to that sense of wonder we had as children. They reminded us that magic is still possible; you just have to know where to look.

What comes next?

Although Anonymouse has officially ended, the artists remain secretive about its future. "We never know, we can't promise anything," Westerholm says cryptically.

One thing's for sure: the world will feel a little less magical without the chance to stumble across a new mouse shop. But the memories of nine years of wonder and the smiles these little works of art have brought to millions of faces will last forever.

Thank you, Elin and Lupus, for reminding us of the power of imagination and the importance of keeping our inner child alive. The mice of Malmö will miss you.

Image credits - main image: Mr Shark - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 • fair: Johan Jönsson (Julle) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 • pink mouse house and record store: Leksunim - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 • restaurant: By Johan Jönsson (Julle) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0